Raju Shetti warns government-appointed directors ahead of Gokul chairman election

The political tussle over the chairman's post at the Gokul milk union in Kolhapur looks set to intensify. Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana leader Raju Shetti has sharply criticised the state government and the Mahayuti over the appointment of government-nominated directors. The chairman election meeting is scheduled for November 10, and a day before it Shetti issued a direct warning to the government-nominated directors.

Shetti said the government-nominated directors would walk into tomorrow's meeting, but the situation would be different when they come out. "They will come in on their feet, but they will leave on shoulders," he said. The statement has been described as controversial.

He asked workers whether the Gokul office should be gheraoed and told them to be ready for an agitation. According to Shetti, he has learnt that Mahayuti leaders also plan to bring their own people. On that basis he said both sides were talking of a show of strength.

Shetti said Gokul belongs to the people of Kolhapur and not to anyone's father, and objected to the government's decision on that ground. He alleged that an attempt was being made to dominate Gokul from Gujarat.

Comparing Gujarat to the East India Company, he also criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over issues concerning Maharashtra's interests. He targeted the government by citing the alleged attempt to divert Nashik's water towards Gujarat, the elephants issue and the Shaktipeeth Expressway.

Shetti opposed the decision to give voting rights to four government-nominated directors after the Gokul election. He claimed these appointments are illegal. He also demanded that the court take the agitation seriously and examine the crowd at the march by drone.

Alongside the legal fight against the government's decision, a street agitation is also under way. Earlier, on November 9, a Sangharsh Morcha was taken out under the leadership of Satej Patil. Several leaders and milk producers, including Raju Shetti, took part.

All eyes are now on the chairman election meeting at 11 am on November 10. It remains to be seen what happens at the meeting, whether the government-nominated directors attend, and what the court decides. After Shetti's statement, maintaining law and order at the venue has also become a challenge for the administration.